Alonzo Caudillo Funeral Fund
Donazione protetta
My dear friend Alonzo Caudillo passed away this past weekend. He had a very aggressive form of Renal Cancer, that had spread through his lymphatic system without detection until a mass formed on his spine.
This fund is being created to cover the expenses related with his funeral. An independant account has been set up for the funds to be placed, and payment to the funeral home to be made, payment is due in full on the day of the funeral (Friday 1/13/17) If by chance there are any additional funds they will be paid into a trust for Alonzo's only son Logan (pictured in cover photo).
If you are able to contribute, any amount would be greatly appreciated. I know that Alonzo meant much and more to an innumberable amount of people and if everyone chips in a little bit I'm sure that we can raise the funds to give him the send off that he deserves.
Alonzo is one of the best people I've ever known. You will be missed, you will continue to be loved, and you will always be remembered.
If you would like to pay your last respects the funeral arrangements are as follows:
Friday 1/13/17
Viewing from 3pm-9pm
Saturday 1/14/17
Memorial Service 10am
Both the viewing and memorial service will be held at:
Foran Funeral Home
7300 W Archer Ave
Summit, IL 60501
http://www.foranfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Alonzo-Caudillo/
If you are unfamiliar with Alonzo's abrupt but hard fought struggle, the following is an account of the final two months of his life, from detection to the end.
In November of 2016 he was having extreme back pains that then radiated down his arms. He went to the doctor to seek treatment, he was given pain meds and sent to a chiropractor. After enduring a couple weeks of the pain worsening and the symptoms increasing to weakness in left arm and an inablility to fully control his fingers, the doctors took x-rays, determined that he had a herniated disc, and sent him in for an MRI. Almost a week later Alonzo recieved a call stating that there was a mass on his spine, possibly cancerous, and he was refered to a Neurosurgeon.
On Thanksgiving weekend he checked himself in to UIC Medical Center on Chicago's south side at his neurosurgeon's instruction. Alonzo spent the four days following in the hospital waiting for his spinal surgery to take place. In that time he lost all but minimal strength in both arms and was unable to move his fingers, make a fist, or grip anything. On the fourth day he had his spinal surgery, and it was "a success".
The UIC staff oncology team assigned to him as well as the radiologist met with him to discuss the further MRI scans that they took prior to surger and informed him that the mass was definitively cancerous. They were extremely optomistic in thier prognosis, saying "we've definitely seen worse" and "dont' worry you'll get through this"
Unfortunately due to the messed up nature of our health care system here in the United States his insurance would not cover continued treatment at the UIC facility, and he would need to go to a different hospital if he did not want to be saddled with the astronomical bills that would be incurred.
So, in short, once it was made clear that he would not be continuing his treatment in their facility, the UIC medical team made quick work of discharging him sending him home without care. His insurance coverage also denied his request for inpatient physical and occupational therapy to help him regain the use of his hands and arms. Stating basically that because he could walk he did not qualify, clearly not caring that he could not pick things up, open a door, feed himself, dress himself, etc.
The transition between the oncology staff at UIC and the team at the hospital covered by his insurance was sluggish at best. He spent two weeks at home before finally hearing from the oncologist who would be handling his treatment. During his time at home the muscle mass in his arms and chest lessened substantially, and his cardiovascular health declined drastically.
On the morning of Friday December 23rd he had his second scheduled appointment with his oncologist. During that appointment he was admitted into the ER at St. Joseph Hospital due to "dangerously low oxygen levels", high pulse rate, and a fever. It was there in the emergency room that he was notified his condition was Stage 4 Renal Cancer Metastatic, and incurable. (mind you it has now been 3 weeks since the surgery and the biopsy was taken and this was the first he was hearing this) Still, the oncologyst was optomistic with Alonzo, telling him that although the cancer is not curable, it is "treatable", he would just need to continue pill form chemotherapy for the rest of his life to keep the cancer from getting worse.
Saturday 12/24 - Alonzo moved from ER to main hospital
Monday 12/26 - Alonzo receives first round of intravenous Chemotherapy
Wednesday 12/28- Alonzo and family meet with full oncology team. This date is significant because it marks the date of the first time that Alonzo actually meets the doctors that make up his oncology team. It also marks the date of when everyone was told for the first time that unless the first 3 rounds of chemotherapy make drastic changes to the cancer in his lungs his life span would only be weeks.
12/31-1/1 - Alonzo rings in the New Year in the hospital with his friend Jacob (me) with a plastic cup of sparkling grape juice, and listening to his favorite 80's music on Pandora Radio
Monday 1/2/17- Alonzo is moved to ICU due to dangerously low oxygen levels, incoherrent speach, and a fever of over 100
Wednesday 1/4- Alonzo receives his second chemotherapy treatment
Friday 1/6- Finally a GOOD DAY! Alonzo's son arrives in town. He and Alonzo are able to talk, Zo is lucid, coherent, and visibly very happy. He said goodnight to his son with a hug and a kiss telling him he loves him, and to pray for a wonderful day tomorrow.
5 a.m. Saturday 1/7/2017 - Alonzo goes into respiratory and cardiac distress, leaving this world, and the pain and suffering behind him.
Rest in Peace Alonzo Caudillo
6/26/1969 - 1/7/2017
This fund is being administered by Jacob Novak (Alonzo's Friend and Roommate) from Chicago, IL
The money collected from this fund will be used to pay Foran Funeral Home for their services which are approximately $7200.
If there are donations in excess of the funds needed to pay the funeral home they will be paid in to a trust fund for Alonzo's only child Logan.
I (Jacob Novak) will be withdrawing the money depositing it into a newly opened Chase Bank checking account, whose sole purpose is the proper distribution of the funds collected by this campaign. The only transactions that will take place in this account are deposits from offline donors, direct deposits from this campaign, payment to Foran Funeral Home, and payment to a Trust in Logan Caudillo's name.
This fund is being created to cover the expenses related with his funeral. An independant account has been set up for the funds to be placed, and payment to the funeral home to be made, payment is due in full on the day of the funeral (Friday 1/13/17) If by chance there are any additional funds they will be paid into a trust for Alonzo's only son Logan (pictured in cover photo).
If you are able to contribute, any amount would be greatly appreciated. I know that Alonzo meant much and more to an innumberable amount of people and if everyone chips in a little bit I'm sure that we can raise the funds to give him the send off that he deserves.
Alonzo is one of the best people I've ever known. You will be missed, you will continue to be loved, and you will always be remembered.
If you would like to pay your last respects the funeral arrangements are as follows:
Friday 1/13/17
Viewing from 3pm-9pm
Saturday 1/14/17
Memorial Service 10am
Both the viewing and memorial service will be held at:
Foran Funeral Home
7300 W Archer Ave
Summit, IL 60501
http://www.foranfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Alonzo-Caudillo/
If you are unfamiliar with Alonzo's abrupt but hard fought struggle, the following is an account of the final two months of his life, from detection to the end.
In November of 2016 he was having extreme back pains that then radiated down his arms. He went to the doctor to seek treatment, he was given pain meds and sent to a chiropractor. After enduring a couple weeks of the pain worsening and the symptoms increasing to weakness in left arm and an inablility to fully control his fingers, the doctors took x-rays, determined that he had a herniated disc, and sent him in for an MRI. Almost a week later Alonzo recieved a call stating that there was a mass on his spine, possibly cancerous, and he was refered to a Neurosurgeon.
On Thanksgiving weekend he checked himself in to UIC Medical Center on Chicago's south side at his neurosurgeon's instruction. Alonzo spent the four days following in the hospital waiting for his spinal surgery to take place. In that time he lost all but minimal strength in both arms and was unable to move his fingers, make a fist, or grip anything. On the fourth day he had his spinal surgery, and it was "a success".
The UIC staff oncology team assigned to him as well as the radiologist met with him to discuss the further MRI scans that they took prior to surger and informed him that the mass was definitively cancerous. They were extremely optomistic in thier prognosis, saying "we've definitely seen worse" and "dont' worry you'll get through this"
Unfortunately due to the messed up nature of our health care system here in the United States his insurance would not cover continued treatment at the UIC facility, and he would need to go to a different hospital if he did not want to be saddled with the astronomical bills that would be incurred.
So, in short, once it was made clear that he would not be continuing his treatment in their facility, the UIC medical team made quick work of discharging him sending him home without care. His insurance coverage also denied his request for inpatient physical and occupational therapy to help him regain the use of his hands and arms. Stating basically that because he could walk he did not qualify, clearly not caring that he could not pick things up, open a door, feed himself, dress himself, etc.
The transition between the oncology staff at UIC and the team at the hospital covered by his insurance was sluggish at best. He spent two weeks at home before finally hearing from the oncologist who would be handling his treatment. During his time at home the muscle mass in his arms and chest lessened substantially, and his cardiovascular health declined drastically.
On the morning of Friday December 23rd he had his second scheduled appointment with his oncologist. During that appointment he was admitted into the ER at St. Joseph Hospital due to "dangerously low oxygen levels", high pulse rate, and a fever. It was there in the emergency room that he was notified his condition was Stage 4 Renal Cancer Metastatic, and incurable. (mind you it has now been 3 weeks since the surgery and the biopsy was taken and this was the first he was hearing this) Still, the oncologyst was optomistic with Alonzo, telling him that although the cancer is not curable, it is "treatable", he would just need to continue pill form chemotherapy for the rest of his life to keep the cancer from getting worse.
Saturday 12/24 - Alonzo moved from ER to main hospital
Monday 12/26 - Alonzo receives first round of intravenous Chemotherapy
Wednesday 12/28- Alonzo and family meet with full oncology team. This date is significant because it marks the date of the first time that Alonzo actually meets the doctors that make up his oncology team. It also marks the date of when everyone was told for the first time that unless the first 3 rounds of chemotherapy make drastic changes to the cancer in his lungs his life span would only be weeks.
12/31-1/1 - Alonzo rings in the New Year in the hospital with his friend Jacob (me) with a plastic cup of sparkling grape juice, and listening to his favorite 80's music on Pandora Radio
Monday 1/2/17- Alonzo is moved to ICU due to dangerously low oxygen levels, incoherrent speach, and a fever of over 100
Wednesday 1/4- Alonzo receives his second chemotherapy treatment
Friday 1/6- Finally a GOOD DAY! Alonzo's son arrives in town. He and Alonzo are able to talk, Zo is lucid, coherent, and visibly very happy. He said goodnight to his son with a hug and a kiss telling him he loves him, and to pray for a wonderful day tomorrow.
5 a.m. Saturday 1/7/2017 - Alonzo goes into respiratory and cardiac distress, leaving this world, and the pain and suffering behind him.
Rest in Peace Alonzo Caudillo
6/26/1969 - 1/7/2017
This fund is being administered by Jacob Novak (Alonzo's Friend and Roommate) from Chicago, IL
The money collected from this fund will be used to pay Foran Funeral Home for their services which are approximately $7200.
If there are donations in excess of the funds needed to pay the funeral home they will be paid in to a trust fund for Alonzo's only child Logan.
I (Jacob Novak) will be withdrawing the money depositing it into a newly opened Chase Bank checking account, whose sole purpose is the proper distribution of the funds collected by this campaign. The only transactions that will take place in this account are deposits from offline donors, direct deposits from this campaign, payment to Foran Funeral Home, and payment to a Trust in Logan Caudillo's name.
Organizzatore
Jacob Novak
Organizzatore
Chicago, IL